Combined flame height adjusting and gauging mechanism

ABSTRACT

A burner valve adjustment mechanism, wherein the valve adjustment is combined with an indicator enabling the user to gauge the height of the flame by observing the indicator through a window.

United States Patent Schlamp [451 Jan. 25, 1972 1541 COMBINED FLAME HEIGHT ADJUSTING AND GAUGING MECHANISM Invent Assignee:

Filed:

App]. No.:

or: Herman Schlamp, Cologne, Germany Ronson Corporation, Woodbridge, N .J. June 2, 1970 Foreign Application Priority Data July 8, 1969 Germany ..P 19 35 163.4

US. Cl ..43l/l7, 431/344 Int. Cl

[58] Field oISenrch ..431/l3, 17

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,280,597 10/1966 McLarty ..43l/l3 X Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney-Marvin Trimas ABSTRACT A burner valve adjustment mechanism, wherein the valve adjustment is combined with an indicator enabling the user to gauge the height of the flame by observing the indicator through a window.

14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JANZS r972 Fig.1-

lllll NVENTOR HfF/IM/VSCHLAMP ATTORNEY COMBINED FLAME HEIGHT ADJUSTING AND GAUGING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flame height adjusting mechanisms to adjust variable adjustment burner valves for gas appliances are old in the art. They have basically been of two types: top valve adjust mechanisms, and bottom valve adjust mechanisms.

The most prevalent of the bottom adjust mechanisms is the type in which the burner valve communicates with an opening in the lighter housing, and the valve has an adjusting screw on the bottom thereof. This type of device is both cumbersome to operate and difficult to adjust to the desired flame height because generally a tool such as a screwdriver or coin is needed to operate the adjusting mechanism. Slight alterations of this type of a device provide a finger operated screw, whereby the user can rotate the screw to its desired position; however, similar difficulties are encountered in adjusting to proper flame height.

Another device commonly employed is a knurled ring attached to the burner valve, which being rotatable, revolves the burner valve to desired flame height. With this device the user is able to infer from the position of the projecting part of the ring what the approximate flame height will be when the gas is ignited. Such a conclusion presupposes, however, that the user is quite familiar with his lighter and is able to associate position of the wheel with a flame height. Additionally, lating such a ring, the user necessarily covers it, making his simultaneous estimation of correct flame position rather difficult.

It is desired to be able to predetermine flame height prior to ignition because a very high flame can alarm a user,

The present invention provides a device which is both simple in operation and provides sight means for ease in estimation of flame height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a burner valve which is simple to use and has an accurate adjustment mechanism for infinitely variable flame heights.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a flame height sight indicator to show the operator the size of the flame that will be obtained when the gas is ignited.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an adjustment mechanism which is adaptable for top, bottom or side adjusting placement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination adjustment-flame indicator which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to fabricate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view partly in section of the mechanism in a side adjust and viewing position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a side adjust mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mechanism as enclosed by the lighter housing;

FIG. 4 is a view partly in section of the mechanism in a top adjust position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a top adjust embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective partly cut away of the mechanism of FIG. 5 as it appears when enclosed by the lighter housing;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of a bottom adjust embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown the side adjust embodiment of the invention, mounted on a pyrophoric lighter denoted generally by the numeral 10. The lighter 10 is of the type comprising walls 11 forming a housing whichfhas an opening 11:: at the upper portion of the lighter to allow the passage of a'flame therethrough.

Contained within the housing is a'reservoir (not shown) for the storage of a combustible fuel which-can be a liquefied in manipupetroleum gas (such as butane) or other suitable combustible. Communicating with the reservoir is an inlet valve (not shown) which allows refilling the reservoir, and may be of the type shown and described in [1.8. Pat. No. 3,085,601, issued Apr. 16, 1963, and entitled -Gas Fueled Lighter Valve." Located adjacent the opening 11a in the housing 10 is a burner valve 21 which can be of the type described in US. Pat. No. 3,050,973, issued Aug. 28, 1962, and entitled Burner Valves for Compressed Gas Fuels," and which has a groove 23 and a burner head 22 which can be actuated by a fork lift lever. An example of such a lever is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,571,435 issued Oct. 16, 1951 entitled "Gas Fueled Cigar Lighter. Located in the vicinity of the spark wheel is a spark producing mechanism which can be an abrasive spark wheel and flint mechanism, a piezoelectric crystal mechanism, an external or internal voltage source mechanism, or any other suitable device. Since these elements in lighters are well known, it is not deemed necessary to go into detail on this aspect of the lighter and they do not form any part of this invention.

Referring to F Ig. 2 there is shown a sleeve 21) having a substantially smooth outer surface, and having a plurality of teeth 19 on its internal surface. These teeth 19 mesh with splines (not shown) which surround the bushing 21a on the burner valve.

Attached to or integral with the sleeve 20 is an arm 16 which is smaller in height than the sleeve 20. The lever 16 is substantially rectangular, however, the shape is a matter of choice, terminating in an upturned tab 15 which is of the same height and width'as the remainder of the lever 16. Located between the tab 15 and the sleeve 20 is an upstanding support 17a which can be integral with the lever 16 or otherwise secured thereto and which is equal in width to the lever 16.

Situated at the top of the support 17a is an indicator plate 17 which can be integral with the support 17a or otherwise secured thereto. Centrally located on the indicator plate are converging lines 18a which begin at a broad left portion and gradually terminate in a point on the right portion. The space between the lines can be colored, engraved or be marked by any suitable identification means which will render it visible to the naked eye. These lines 18a, plus the coloring therebetween, form the arrowlike flame indicator 18.

Referring to FIGS. Land 3, the mechanism is shown with the sleeve 20 surrounding and meshing with the splines on the bushing 21a. The tab 15 is inserted through a rectangular slot 13 formed in the sidewall of the housing 11 such that it is positioned vertically, and is spaced below the top wall of the housing 11 to allow rotation of the lever within the slot 13. The slot is of such a height that the portion of the lever 16 which moves within the slot 13 has a small clearance above and below it.

Directly above the slot 13 is a rectangular window 12 which can be bounded by sloping walls 14. The window 12 is placed at such a height that the indicator I8 is visible behind it. The window 12 is of such a height and width that the arrow 18 is entirely visible to a viewer.

In use, a user rotates the lever 16 in the slot 13 while at the same time viewing the amount of arrow 18 exposed in the window 12. The portion of the arrow 18 visible, corresponds to the flame height. When the lever 16 is rotated, the'sleeve 20 rotates the bushing 21a which compresses or removes the compression from a porous pad through which the liquefied gas passes thereby permitting less or more fuel to emanate from the burner valve whereby the size of the flame produced corresponds to the portion of the arrow 18 visible. The ends of the slot 13 limit movement of the lever 16, and correspond to zero and total exposure of the arrow 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the mechanism. The sleeve 34 having internal splines performs the same function as in the previous embodithe plate 26 such that upon assembly of the unit to the burner valve 36, the ring will be directly above the burner valve 36. Centrally located in the ring 25 and extending through the plate 26 is a bore 25b which permits the passage of a flame therethrough. Adjacent the wheel 25 is a curved arrow27 which is printed or otherwise secured to the plate 26 to function as an indicator.

Upon assembly of the unit to the burner valve 36, the plate 26 sits directly below the top of the lighter housing 28 such that the wheel 25 is directly above the burner valve 36, and the arrow 27 is visible through a window 28 in the housing.

In operation, when the ring 25 is rotated, the rod 31 rotates the lever 32 which in turn, rotates the burner'valve 36, thereby adjusting the flame height. At the same time the wheel is 'rotated, it rotates the plate 26, whereby variable portions of the arrow 27 are exposed through the window 28, indicating the flame height setting.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a bottomv adjust mechanism. In this embodiment the serrated rung 40 is placed on the bottom of the lighter housing (not shown). The plate 41 has a slot 42a aligned with the yoke 44a in the lever 44. The plate 41 has a hole 43 therein which is directly above the burner valve (not shown) the passage therethrough of a flame. Adjacent the hole 43 is indicia in the form of an arrow 42, the function of which is similar to that described in the previous embodiments. when the ring 40 is rotated the rod 39 drives both the lever 44 which rotates the burner valve, and the plate 41, whereby a variable portion of the arrow 42 is exposed through the window (not shown) which indicates the flame height.

Since the numerous changes may be made in the above description without departing from the spirit of the present in vention, the above description should be viewed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. In a cigarette lighter of the type comprising:

a. a housing,

b. a burner valve mounted on said housing adapted to allow fuel to pass therethrough to the atmosphere,

0. ignition means adjacent said burner valve,

d. a fuel reservoir in fluid communication with said burner valve, the improvement which comprises;

e. burner valve adjustment means having attached thereto a slight means which indicates a proportionally reduced schematic corresponding to the flame height emanating from said burner valve wherein said burner valve adjustment means is rotatably attached to said burner valve whereupon rotation of said adjustment means correspondingly rotates said burner valve between positions of infinitely variable flame heights.

2. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustment means comprises a rotatable ring attached to said burner valve whereupon rotation of said ring causes a like rotation of said burner valve.

3. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 2 wherein aid ring comprises internal teeth engageable with external teeth about said burner valve to enable said ring to rotate said burner valve.

4. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 2 wherein said ring has attached thereto a lever to rotate said ring between its infinitely variable positions.

5. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 4 wherein there is attached to said lever a tab which extends through an opening in said housing and which enables rotation of said lever.

6. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 5 wherein said sight means comprises a plate movable within said housing and viewable through a window formed in said housing.

7. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 6 wherein said plate comprises a flame indicator viewable through said window.

8. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 4 wherein there is a slot in said lever.

9. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 8 wherein a rod is inserted into said slot ca able of rotatinghsaid lever said rod being attached to a whee rotatably attac ed to said housing,

which wheel being adjustable between an infinitely variable number of positions.

10. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 9 wherein said wheel is positioned above said burner valve having therein a central opening to permit passage of a flame therethrough.

11. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 9 wherein said wheel is positioned at the bottom of said housing permitting valve adjustment from the underside of said lighter housing.

12. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 9 wherein said sight means comprises a plate movable in said housing having thereon a flame indicator viewable through a window in said housing.

13. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 12 wherein said plate extends vertically from and is integral with said adjust means.

14. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 12 wherein said plate has a slot therethrough and has inserted therein said rod such that rotation of said wheel rotates said plate thereby exposing an infinitely variable amount of said flame indicator. 

1. In a cigarette lighter of the type comprising: a. a housing, b. a burner valve mounted on said housing adapted to allow fuel to pass therethrough to the atmosphere, c. ignition means adjacent said burner valve, d. a fuel reservoir in fluid communication with said burner valve, the improvement which comprises; e. burner valve adjustment means having attached thereto a slight means which indicates a proportionally reduced schematic corresponding to the flame height emanating from said burner valve wherein said burner valve adjustment means is rotatably attached to said burner valve whereupon rotation of said adjustment means correspondingly rotates said burner valve between positions of infinitely variable flame heights.
 2. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustment means comprises a rotatable ring attached to said burner valve whereupon rotation of said ring causes a like rotation of said burner valve.
 3. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 2 wherein said ring comprises internal teeth engageable with external teeth about said burner valve to enable said ring to rotate said burner valve.
 4. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 2 wherein said ring has attached thereto a lever to rotate said ring between its infinitely variable positions.
 5. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 4 wherein there is attaChed to said lever a tab which extends through an opening in said housing and which enables rotation of said lever.
 6. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 5 wherein said sight means comprises a plate movable within said housing and viewable through a window formed in said housing.
 7. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 6 wherein said plate comprises a flame indicator viewable through said window.
 8. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 4 wherein there is a slot in said lever.
 9. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 8 wherein a rod is inserted into said slot capable of rotating said lever, said rod being attached to a wheel rotatably attached to said housing, which wheel being adjustable between an infinitely variable number of positions.
 10. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 9 wherein said wheel is positioned above said burner valve having therein a central opening to permit passage of a flame therethrough.
 11. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 9 wherein said wheel is positioned at the bottom of said housing permitting valve adjustment from the underside of said lighter housing.
 12. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 9 wherein said sight means comprises a plate movable in said housing having thereon a flame indicator viewable through a window in said housing.
 13. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 12 wherein said plate extends vertically from and is integral with said adjust means.
 14. A cigarette lighter as recited in claim 12 wherein said plate has a slot therethrough and has inserted therein said rod such that rotation of said wheel rotates said plate thereby exposing an infinitely variable amount of said flame indicator. 